16:40 Ffos Las

Sunday 16 April 2017

All13:5514:2514:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:45

Siddell Environmental Services Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 5m 6.20s

Phobiaphiliac^h³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

3/1

Successful on his first start in over five months when winning at Lingfield in November. Pulled up in two of three starts since including when highly tried last time out. Interesting off top weight here.

Form: 65-211P

Sir Mangan⁴⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130

5/1

Victorious first time out for this stable when winning at Fontwell in October 2015. Finished runner-up at Cheltenham the following month but could finish only fifth at Sandown in December 2015 when last seen in action. Worth a check in the market here.

Form: P2125/1-

Here's Herbie^t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 126

15/2

Finished runner-up at Exeter in January but well beaten twice since. Has won off a 2lb higher mark in the past and represents a yard with a 20% strike-rate recently (2/10).

Form: 011-737

Maxanisi³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: Evan Williams| OR: 123

8/1

Still held chances when coming down at Sandown over fences last time out. Had finished runner-up over 2m5f in a handicap chase here prior to that and reverts to hurdles for the first time in nearly 13 months today.

Form: 1/142-

Alf 'n' Dor^p,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 120

6/1

Winner of a heavy ground handicap hurdle over C&D last month but could finish only third off this mark here on soft ground subsequently. Has his regular jockey in the saddle today but would probably prefer softer ground than is predicted here.

Form: 245134-

Count Meribel³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: M D Grant| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120

8/1

Placed in all four outings over hurdles including when a beaten odds-on favourite at Warwick last time out. Steps up to 2m4f for the first time here but ground should suit and an interesting runner on handicap debut.

Form: 233222

Cool Sky²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 119

3/1

Winner at Fontwell over an extended 2m1f (good-to-soft) last time out. Races off a 3lb higher mark in this but yard are in good form at present (7/23) and he receives weight from all of his rivals today.

Form: 3110/3-8

Non-Runners

Forza Milan⁵⁰

Weight: 11-8| Age: 5

T: J & A O'Neill J: Killian Moore

Forecasts

Forza Milan (5/2), Cool Sky (3/1), Phobiaphiliac (3/1), Sir Mangan (5/1), Alf 'n' Dor (6/1), Here's Herbie (15/2), Count Meribel (8/1), Maxanisi (8/1)

COOL SKY was successful at Fontwell on his most recent outing a month ago and can take this handicap hurdle upped to 2m4f for the first time here. The selection hails from the in form Ian Williams yard who can boast a 32% strike-rate in recent weeks and he is taken to get the better Forza Milan who remains open to improvement and is making his handicap debut today. Third place can go the way of Alf 'N' Dor who won over C&D last time out though his chance is likely to be improved should any rain fall overnight.